Party on

By THIS IS MONEY
Updated:

 

ONCE he was arguably the most famous face on British television. Responsible for BBC programmes such as Telly Addicts and Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Noel Edmonds built a fortune owning the format to some of his shows.

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But in 1999 he walked out of the BBC, angry that it failed to give Noel's House Party the support he thought it deserved.

In the new issue of MONEY magazine, Edmonds reveals how he has since developed his Unique Group business, now worth about £30m. Unique includes some 20 media-related businesses, from production, television and radio programmes to corporate videos, public relations, media training and marketing.

Unique is the fastest growing communications group in the UK and there are plans for a stock market flotation in the next five years. If this happens it could make Edmonds very rich indeed.

His own net worth is already said to be up to £70m, though Edmonds claims that 'reports of my wealth are exaggerated. My business is worth a lot on paper, but I wish I had more cash'.

Edmonds has a penchant for rich man's toys. Last year he bought an Augusto 109 E helicopter - one of only ten in the UK - which cost about £2.5m.

Favourite holiday destinations include Mauritius, the Seychelles, the Maldives and the Caribbean. He says: 'We fly first class or Concorde if I've done a deal.'

Despite this, Edmonds says he could happily go back to having no money. 'Money gives you freedom and choice,' he says. 'But as long as I have my health I don't feel insecure. I could reinvent myself.'

• Noel Parties On: see the June issue of MONEY magazine, out now.

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